Dead farmer had called police twice

A man who was murdered after disturbing a burglary had called police on two previous occasions about crime at his farm.

Julian Gardner, 53, was found just after 8am on Monday by his business partner sprawled on the ground near outbuildings at his remote farm in Robertsbridge, East Sussex.

One theory being explored is that Mr Gardner disturbed burglars forcing outbuildings where he ran an agricultural and car repair business. Sussex Police said the two reports to police by him were "low-level" offences in 2008 and 2009 and were unrelated to burglaries.

Officers refused to give further details of the reports but a spokesman said: "The early indications are that he was not a victim of burglary before."

Mr Gardner's death came just days after a campaign to keep locals safe, with police, crime prevention officers, locksmiths and alarm firms offering tips to prevent burglaries.

Mr Gardner's mother Molly Gardner and his sister Anna Murphy said their lives would never be the same again, adding: "The space he leaves will never be filled."

In a statement, they said: "He had so much more living to do. If only he had known how many people have had their lives enriched by knowing him. He was so honest, so dependable, funny, loyal and hard-working. The space he leaves will never be filled."

Police have recovered two burnt-out off-road vehicles near the scene of the murder.

Detective Chief Inspector Adam Hibbert, of Sussex Police, said: "We are treating this as a murder inquiry and believe that this was a burglary that went wrong, with tragic consequences. Julian Gardner possibly disturbed an unknown number of people forcing outbuildings where he ran an agricultural and car repair business."

Mr Hibbert added: "The farm is extensive and a methodical forensic examination will take some days. We are investigating the discovery of a couple of cars - Land Rover and Jeep - that we found abandoned a few miles from the site yesterday, but any possible connection to this incident is still being assessed. Part of our investigation will be to establish what may have been stolen from the premises. This is a tragic incident and my thoughts are with Julian's family. We do not know who is responsible."